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What is Applied Nutrition's ABE Energy Performance?
ABE Energy Performance is a ready-to-drink sparkling drink, sold in a 330 ml can. One can brings 200 mg of caffeine, 2 g of citrulline malate, 2 g of beta-alanine, 200 mg of anhydrous betaine, 200 mg of taurine and 200 mg of L-tyrosine, for zero calories and zero sugar. ABE stands for "All Black Everything", the name of the pre-workout range from Applied Nutrition, a British brand based in Liverpool.
The idea behind the product fits in one sentence: take the actives you usually find in a powder you have to scoop, and put them in a can. You open it, you drink it, there is no shaker to wash and no scoop to level off. It is a format as much as a formula.
The flavours in the catalogue: Grape Soda, White, Blue Lagoon, Apple Burst, Cloudy Lemonade, Orange Burst, Cherry Slushie, Fruit Candy and Slush Puppie. Each is available singly or in packs of twelve. The rest of the brand can be browsed in our Applied Nutrition aisle, and the other ready-to-drink formats in our energy drinks aisle.
What does a can of ABE Energy contain?
| Per 330 ml can | Amount | % NRV |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 0 kJ / 0 kcal | — |
| Fat | 0 g | — |
| of which saturates | 0 g | — |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | — |
| of which sugars | 0 g | — |
| Protein | 0 g | — |
| Salt | 0 g | — |
| Niacin (vitamin B3) | 32 mg | 200 % |
| Vitamin B12 | 10 µg | 400 % |
| Citrulline malate | 2,000 mg | ** |
| Beta-alanine | 2,000 mg | ** |
| Anhydrous betaine | 200 mg | ** |
| Caffeine | 200 mg | ** |
| Taurine | 200 mg | ** |
| L-tyrosine | 200 mg | ** |
** Nutrient reference values not established for these components. The values above are those declared by the manufacturer on the label.
200 mg of caffeine is the equivalent of two short espressos in a 330 ml can. That is not trivial, and it is precisely the threshold beyond which the European authorities consider that a single intake deserves attention in adults. If you are sensitive, if you already drink coffee during the day, or if you train in the evening, take it into account before opening a second one.
On the other actives, the dosages have to be read honestly. 2 g of citrulline malate and 2 g of beta-alanine are real amounts, but they stay below the dosages found in a powdered pre-workout, where the figures are more like 6 to 8 g of citrulline and 3.2 g of beta-alanine. The can is a convenience format, not a complete booster compressed into 330 ml. If you are after high dosages, look instead at our pre-workout boosters aisle.
Two authorised claims can, on the other hand, be quoted as they stand, because they rest on the declared amounts: niacin and vitamin B12 contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the reduction of tiredness. Those are the official wordings from the European regulation. By contrast, no claim exists for caffeine, beta-alanine, citrulline, betaine or tyrosine: what we are describing there are ingredients and quantities, not promised effects.
Ingredients list
Carbonated water, beta-alanine, citrulline, anhydrous betaine, acidity regulator (citric acid), natural flavouring, caffeine, taurine, L-tyrosine, sweetener (sucralose), preservative (potassium sorbate), niacin, vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin).
The manufacturer declares the absence of common allergens. High caffeine content: not recommended for children or for pregnant or breastfeeding women (200 mg per 330 ml).
How do you take ABE Energy Performance?
Dose: 1 can of 330 ml. Liquid: none, the drink is ready to drink. Timing: 15 to 30 minutes before training. Frequency: one can a day, without stacking another source of caffeine. Duration: the manufacturer does not set out a course, it is a training-day drink.
Drink it very cold. This is not a comfort tip: taken from the cupboard at room temperature, the beta-alanine and the acidity make the taste distinctly less pleasant, and many people who find these drinks undrinkable have simply drunk them lukewarm. The fridge changes everything.
Expect tingling on the skin, and do not worry about it. The 2 g of beta-alanine cause, in most people, passing pins and needles on the face, neck or forearms, appearing some twenty minutes after drinking and going away on their own. It is a well-known reaction to this molecule, and it is harmless. Nobody ever warns you, and yet it is the first question we get asked at the counter.
One can a day, and not two. At 200 mg of caffeine per unit, two cans put you at 400 mg, which matches the maximum daily reference for a healthy adult — before counting the morning coffee. And no late-day intake: caffeine stays active for several hours, and an 8 pm session paid for with a broken night is a poor trade.
Who is ABE Energy for, and who is it not for?
It suits a trained adult who wants energy before a session without preparing a drink, and who tolerates caffeine well. The can format has a real practical advantage: it slips into a bag, it can be drunk in the car or in the changing room, and the zero sugar makes it compatible with a controlled diet.
It is not for children, nor for pregnant or breastfeeding women — that is the mandatory statement tied to the caffeine content, and it is not decorative. It is strongly discouraged for people sensitive to caffeine, as well as in cases of high blood pressure, heart rhythm disorders, anxiety or ongoing medical treatment: in all of those cases, a doctor's opinion comes before the purchase.
Do not stack it with any other source of caffeine. A coffee, a powdered pre-workout, a fat burner in capsules, a tea: it all adds up. That is the situation where we see the most unpleasant surprises, with palpitations and a sleepless night at the end of it. If you train in the evening, there is a simple solution: our caffeine-free pre-workout aisle offers exactly the same vascular actives without the stimulant.
What not to expect from it. It does not make you progress, it does not replace structured training or adequate food, and it does not make up for a short night. It contains zero calories, therefore zero fuel: on a long session it will supply no energy in the metabolic sense of the word. It is a pleasant stimulant before training, nothing more.
ABE can or powdered pre-workout?
Both answer the same intention, but not the same need, and the choice becomes clear once you lay out the figures.
The powder wins on dosages, no argument. A classic pre-workout brings 6 to 8 g of citrulline and 3.2 g of beta-alanine, against 2 g of each here. You can also adjust the dose: half a scoop on the days you are tired, a full scoop before a big session. Our creatine-free pre-workout aisle and our citrulline selection cover those formulas.
The can wins on everything else: taste, simplicity, consistency. No lumps, no shaker rolling around in the bag, no approximate scoop. And a pleasant drink actually gets drunk, where a tub of mediocre-tasting powder ends up at the back of the cupboard. For someone training three times a week who simply wants a lift before the session, it is the most honest format.
A third route is worth mentioning: if what you are mainly after is beta-alanine, it is taken every day and not only on training days, which a can does not reasonably allow. Our beta-alanine aisle offers dedicated powders for daily use. And for what gets drunk during the session rather than before it, look instead at EAA.
Frequently asked questions
How much caffeine is in a can?
200 mg per 330 ml, roughly two short espressos. That is a high content, which requires a mandatory statement on the label. One can a day at most, without stacking a coffee, a powdered booster or a fat burner in capsules, since it all adds up.
Which flavours are available?
Grape Soda, White, Blue Lagoon, Apple Burst, Cloudy Lemonade, Orange Burst, Cherry Slushie, Fruit Candy and Slush Puppie. The formula is identical from one flavour to another, only the flavouring changes. Each is available singly or in packs of twelve.
Why do I get tingling after drinking it?
That is the beta-alanine, present at 2 g per can. In most people it causes passing pins and needles on the face, neck or forearms, some twenty minutes after drinking. The sensation lasts a few tens of minutes and goes away on its own. It is harmless.
Zero calories, is that really possible?
That is what the manufacturer's label declares, and that is what we report. The drink contains neither sugar, nor fat, nor protein: the sweetness comes from sucralose. What matters most is that it supplies no fuel, which makes it unsuited to a long session where you need carbohydrates.
Can you drink it on non-training days?
Nothing forbids it, but it is not the intended use and it is an expensive way to consume caffeine. The formula is designed to be drunk 15 to 30 minutes before training. On rest days, an ordinary coffee does the same job for a great deal less.
Is it suitable for a vegan diet?
The ingredients list contains no component of animal origin and the manufacturer declares no common allergen. We do not, however, have a certified vegan statement on the label: if that point is decisive for you, check the wording on the can you receive.
Does it need to be drunk cold?
Yes, and that is the most useful tip on this page. Lukewarm, the acidity and the beta-alanine dominate the taste and the drink becomes unpleasant. Straight from the fridge, it goes down easily. That is the main reason some people find it excellent and others undrinkable.
Where to buy ABE Energy Performance
The can can be ordered singly or by the pack of twelve from this page, in the available flavours, and we ship throughout France and Europe. In the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we always advise trying a single can before buying a pack: at 200 mg of caffeine, tolerance varies enormously from person to person, and a flavour you do not like bought twelve at a time is a bad memory. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the sports nutrition aisle.
Energy Drink vs. Sports Drink: What's the Difference?
This is the most common confusion in the aisle, and it's almost never corrected. The two words are similar, both products are sold in the same place, and they don't serve the same purpose.
An energy drink is a stimulating beverage. Its effect comes from a psychoactive substance, caffeine, usually combined with taurine, D-glucuronolactone, B vitamins, and plant extracts. It acts on alertness and the perception of fatigue. It does not provide energy to muscles.
A sports drink—the exact term is effort drink—is a carbohydrate and mineral drink: it provides assimilable sugars and electrolytes intended to cover energy expenditure during prolonged exertion. Its benefit is nutritional, not neurological. This is what our electrolytes and training carbohydrates like cyclic dextrin or maltodextrin cover.
Remember the rule: energy drinks stimulate the brain, sports drinks nourish the muscles. A zero-calorie can, by design, cannot provide any energy for exertion: it modifies how you feel about it, which is not the same thing.
The word "energizing" is also not legally neutral: the DGCCRF (French Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control) considers it a non-specific claim, which can only appear on packaging if accompanied by an authorized health claim. Hence the almost systematic presence of added B vitamins: it is these, and not caffeine or taurine, that carry the only legally usable mentions.
How much caffeine is in an energy drink?
The answer depends on the product, and the difference between two cans can be considerable. A consumer association found approximately 115 mg of caffeine per 500 ml can in major retail brands—the equivalent of three espressos. Some sports nutrition drinks go much higher: the one we stock contains 200 mg per 330 ml.
Useful benchmarks are those from the EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, which evaluated caffeine in 2015:
- Healthy adults: up to 400 mg per day, from all sources combined, with no identified safety concerns.
- Single dose: 200 mg, or approximately 3 mg per kg of body weight.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women: maximum 200 mg per day, from all sources combined.
- Children and adolescents: 3 mg per kg per day. For a 50 kg adolescent, this is 150 mg—less than a single highly dosed can.
These guidelines cover all sources: coffee, tea, dark chocolate, pre-workouts, caffeinated fat burners. The can is an addition, not a replacement. The EFSA also notes that a dose of 100 mg is enough to disrupt sleep for some people late in the day.
Finally, a labeling statement is mandatory in the European Union if the drink exceeds 150 mg of caffeine per liter: "High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women." Almost all energy drinks on the market exceed this threshold. If you read it on the can, it's not a formality: it's a reminder that the product contains a pharmacologically active dose.
What else does an energy drink contain, besides caffeine?
Sugars
This is the largest component in classic versions: approximately 42 g of sugar per 500 ml can on average, or 8.4 g per 100 ml—the level of a regular soda. "Zero" versions substitute intense sweeteners and reduce the energy intake to almost nothing, like the product we sell.
Taurine
Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that the body produces itself and is found in seafood and meat. Despite a persistent myth, the taurine used in the food industry is not extracted from animals: it is produced by synthesis.
Why is it put in these drinks? As a legacy of the Japanese formula that inspired the category, and because it plays a role in several physiological functions. Professional industry codes limit its content to 4,000 mg per liter. We will not go further: no health claim is authorized in Europe for taurine in this context, and we will therefore not make any. Our taurine section offers the isolated amino acid, to be dosed by yourself.
The rest
D-glucuronolactone, B vitamins, amino acids, and plant extracts are frequently found. Important point: there is no specific European legislation capping caffeine or taurine in these drinks. The current limits—around 320 mg of caffeine per liter—are based on professional codes, not law.
What precautions should you really take?
The French nutrivigilance system has recorded over two hundred reports of adverse effects related to these drinks: cardiovascular symptoms (chest pain, arrhythmias, elevated blood pressure) and neurological symptoms (irritability, anxiety, hallucinations, sleep disturbances). ANSES identifies caffeine as the main contributing factor, with highly variable individual sensitivity.
The agency's recommendations are explicit, and we reproduce them as they are:
- Never combine with alcohol. This is the most dangerous, and most frequent, use: the stimulating effect masks the perception of intoxication, leading to drinking more.
- Do not consume before or during physical activity. This point deserves emphasis because it directly contradicts how these products are marketed in sports.
- Not recommended for children and adolescents, whose 3 mg/kg threshold is quickly reached.
- Not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Not recommended in cases of cardiovascular disease, arrhythmias, liver or kidney disease, or neurological disorders.
We also add what we see at the counter: caffeine interacts with several treatments. Someone experiencing palpitations should consult a doctor, not adjust their dose alone.
What can you find in this section?
Our selection does not include mainstream energy drinks. What we stock falls under the category of canned performance drinks: a sugar-free formula, with the caffeine dose clearly stated on the label rather than hidden in a proprietary blend.
This includes ABE Energy Performance from Applied Nutrition, in a 330 ml can: 200 mg of caffeine, 2,000 mg of citrulline malate, 2,000 mg of beta-alanine, 200 mg of anhydrous betaine, 200 mg of taurine, 200 mg of L-tyrosine, niacin, and vitamin B12, for 0 kcal and 0 g of sugars. Several flavors are available.
Two honest remarks. The 200 mg of caffeine corresponds exactly to the EFSA's reference single dose: one can is a full serving, not an appetizer. And the dosages of citrulline and beta-alanine remain lower than those in a powdered pre-workout—that's the price of convenience. For complete dosages, see our boosters; to avoid caffeine, our caffeine-free boosters and our creatine-free pre-workouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dangers of energy drinks?
They are documented and almost entirely due to caffeine, the sugar content of classic versions, and especially the circumstances of consumption. Reports collected by French nutrivigilance concern cardiovascular symptoms—palpitations, arrhythmias, chest pain, increased blood pressure—and neurological symptoms: anxiety, irritability, tremors, insomnia, and in the most severe cases, seizures or hallucinations. Identified risk situations always come down to the same: mixing with alcohol, consumption during physical exertion, repeated doses throughout the day, and predisposed individuals—undiagnosed heart problems, marked sensitivity to caffeine, adolescents.
Why are energy drinks considered dangerous?
Because they combine three characteristics rarely present together. A high dose of caffeine, ingested cold and quickly, whereas coffee is drunk hot and slowly. A format and taste similar to soda, which encourages drinking several without counting. And marketing focused on exertion and partying, which are precisely the two contexts that health authorities advise against. The molecule is no more dangerous here than elsewhere: it is the dose and usage that are.
What is the composition of an energy drink?
A base of sparkling or still water, sugar or intense sweeteners, caffeine, taurine, often D-glucuronolactone, B vitamins, acidifiers, flavorings, and colorings. Some formulas add plant extracts—guarana, ginseng, green tea—or amino acids. The only number to look for on the label remains the caffeine content per 100 ml, multiplied by the actual volume of the can.
How long do the effects of an energy drink last?
Caffeine reaches its peak blood level in 30 to 60 minutes. Its elimination half-life is around 3 to 5 hours in a healthy adult: a dose taken at 5 PM still partly acts at 10 PM. This duration varies greatly from person to person—smoking accelerates elimination, while pregnancy and some medications significantly slow it down.
How many can you drink per day?
The question should be asked in milligrams of caffeine, not in cans. The EFSA guideline for a healthy adult is 400 mg per day from all sources combined, and 200 mg per single intake: with one highly dosed can, you're already there. This calculation is only valid for a healthy adult without ongoing treatment.
Is it good to drink it every day?
No, and we prefer to say so even if we sell them. Daily consumption builds tolerance—the same dose becomes less effective—then dependence, whose cessation causes headaches and fatigue for a few days. For sugary versions, 40 g of sugar per day are added. These drinks are for occasional use: a time when alertness is genuinely lacking, not a 10 AM ritual.
What is the long-term effect of energy drinks on the heart?
High-dose caffeine temporarily increases heart rate and blood pressure; this is measurable and reversible. In the long term, available data are mainly based on observational studies and clinical cases, and do not allow for a causal link to be asserted with a chronic pathology in a healthy adult with moderate consumption. What is known with certainty, however, is that these drinks sometimes reveal an arrhythmia that was previously unknown. Palpitations, discomfort, or chest pain after consumption should not be managed by changing brands: they should be reported to a doctor.
What is the best energy drink?
There is no absolute best drink, but one criterion eliminates half the market: does the label state the exact caffeine dose, or is it hidden in an unspecified "energy" blend? Then come sugar—a zero version avoids 40 g of unnecessary sugar—and the suitability of the dose to your tolerance. A 200 mg can is not "better" than an 80 mg one: it is stronger, which is a drawback if you are sensitive to caffeine.
When should you drink an energy drink?
As far from bedtime as possible, and never before or during physical exertion according to ANSES recommendations. Given the half-life of caffeine, intake after 4 PM is likely to affect sleep. And never with alcohol.
What exactly is taurine?
A sulfur-containing amino acid that the body synthesizes and is found in fish, seafood, and meat. The taurine in drinks is obtained by chemical synthesis, not extracted from an animal. It is a classic component of these formulas, without any health claim being authorized for it in this context.
Are energy drinks prohibited for minors in France?
No, their sale to minors is not prohibited by French law. However, they are not recommended for them, and the warning label reminds of this above 150 mg of caffeine per liter. Some European countries have legislated or considered doing so; France has not taken this step.
Can you drink it before sports?
ANSES recommends not consuming it before or during physical activity—a position worth knowing before buying a can in a sports nutrition aisle. A powdered pre-workout, on the other hand, allows you to dose caffeine and know precisely the other active ingredients.
Are there natural or organic energy drinks?
Yes: some derive their caffeine from guarana, green tea, or green coffee extracts, and organic certified versions exist. This does not change the pharmacology: guarana caffeine is the same molecule as coffee caffeine, with the same effects and limitations. "Natural" and "organic" qualify the origin of the ingredients, not their harmlessness.
Which drink to rehydrate after sport?
Not this one. Rehydration requires water and mineral salts, which electrolytes cover. For a pleasant and sugar-free daily drink, our sugar-free drinks do the job better.
Can a can replace a coffee?
Regarding caffeine, yes, at an equivalent dose. For the rest, it is a formulated drink, with additives and sweeteners or sugar depending on the version. An espresso remains the simplest and cheapest option if your need is simply alertness.
Where to find this section near Montpellier?
Performance cans are available on the shelves of our Vendargues store, about ten minutes from Montpellier. For this product family, advice at the counter often involves discouraging purchase: if daily consumption already includes several coffees, the right answer is not to sell another can.
We ship throughout France and Europe. These products are not suitable for children, adolescents, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people sensitive to caffeine. In case of heart rhythm disorder, hypertension, ongoing treatment, or persistent sleep disorder, consult your doctor.
Retrait au magasin sous 2 h
À Vendargues, près de Montpellier. Vous êtes prévenu dès que la commande est prête.
Commandé avant 14 h, expédié le jour même
Du lundi au samedi. Le délai d'acheminement appartient ensuite au transporteur.
Livraison offerte dès 50 €
En France métropolitaine, et dès 100 € en Europe. Modes et délais.
Une question avant de commander ?
Écrivez-nous ou passez au magasin : on connaît les produits qu'on vend.
Energy Drink vs. Sports Drink: What's the Difference?
This is the most common confusion in the aisle, and it's almost never corrected. The two words are similar, both products are sold in the same place, and they don't serve the same purpose.
An energy drink is a stimulating beverage. Its effect comes from a psychoactive substance, caffeine, usually combined with taurine, D-glucuronolactone, B vitamins, and plant extracts. It acts on alertness and the perception of fatigue. It does not provide energy to muscles.
A sports drink—the exact term is effort drink—is a carbohydrate and mineral drink: it provides assimilable sugars and electrolytes intended to cover energy expenditure during prolonged exertion. Its benefit is nutritional, not neurological. This is what our electrolytes and training carbohydrates like cyclic dextrin or maltodextrin cover.
Remember the rule: energy drinks stimulate the brain, sports drinks nourish the muscles. A zero-calorie can, by design, cannot provide any energy for exertion: it modifies how you feel about it, which is not the same thing.
The word "energizing" is also not legally neutral: the DGCCRF (French Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control) considers it a non-specific claim, which can only appear on packaging if accompanied by an authorized health claim. Hence the almost systematic presence of added B vitamins: it is these, and not caffeine or taurine, that carry the only legally usable mentions.
How much caffeine is in an energy drink?
The answer depends on the product, and the difference between two cans can be considerable. A consumer association found approximately 115 mg of caffeine per 500 ml can in major retail brands—the equivalent of three espressos. Some sports nutrition drinks go much higher: the one we stock contains 200 mg per 330 ml.
Useful benchmarks are those from the EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, which evaluated caffeine in 2015:
- Healthy adults: up to 400 mg per day, from all sources combined, with no identified safety concerns.
- Single dose: 200 mg, or approximately 3 mg per kg of body weight.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women: maximum 200 mg per day, from all sources combined.
- Children and adolescents: 3 mg per kg per day. For a 50 kg adolescent, this is 150 mg—less than a single highly dosed can.
These guidelines cover all sources: coffee, tea, dark chocolate, pre-workouts, caffeinated fat burners. The can is an addition, not a replacement. The EFSA also notes that a dose of 100 mg is enough to disrupt sleep for some people late in the day.
Finally, a labeling statement is mandatory in the European Union if the drink exceeds 150 mg of caffeine per liter: "High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women." Almost all energy drinks on the market exceed this threshold. If you read it on the can, it's not a formality: it's a reminder that the product contains a pharmacologically active dose.
What else does an energy drink contain, besides caffeine?
Sugars
This is the largest component in classic versions: approximately 42 g of sugar per 500 ml can on average, or 8.4 g per 100 ml—the level of a regular soda. "Zero" versions substitute intense sweeteners and reduce the energy intake to almost nothing, like the product we sell.
Taurine
Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that the body produces itself and is found in seafood and meat. Despite a persistent myth, the taurine used in the food industry is not extracted from animals: it is produced by synthesis.
Why is it put in these drinks? As a legacy of the Japanese formula that inspired the category, and because it plays a role in several physiological functions. Professional industry codes limit its content to 4,000 mg per liter. We will not go further: no health claim is authorized in Europe for taurine in this context, and we will therefore not make any. Our taurine section offers the isolated amino acid, to be dosed by yourself.
The rest
D-glucuronolactone, B vitamins, amino acids, and plant extracts are frequently found. Important point: there is no specific European legislation capping caffeine or taurine in these drinks. The current limits—around 320 mg of caffeine per liter—are based on professional codes, not law.
What precautions should you really take?
The French nutrivigilance system has recorded over two hundred reports of adverse effects related to these drinks: cardiovascular symptoms (chest pain, arrhythmias, elevated blood pressure) and neurological symptoms (irritability, anxiety, hallucinations, sleep disturbances). ANSES identifies caffeine as the main contributing factor, with highly variable individual sensitivity.
The agency's recommendations are explicit, and we reproduce them as they are:
- Never combine with alcohol. This is the most dangerous, and most frequent, use: the stimulating effect masks the perception of intoxication, leading to drinking more.
- Do not consume before or during physical activity. This point deserves emphasis because it directly contradicts how these products are marketed in sports.
- Not recommended for children and adolescents, whose 3 mg/kg threshold is quickly reached.
- Not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Not recommended in cases of cardiovascular disease, arrhythmias, liver or kidney disease, or neurological disorders.
We also add what we see at the counter: caffeine interacts with several treatments. Someone experiencing palpitations should consult a doctor, not adjust their dose alone.
What can you find in this section?
Our selection does not include mainstream energy drinks. What we stock falls under the category of canned performance drinks: a sugar-free formula, with the caffeine dose clearly stated on the label rather than hidden in a proprietary blend.
This includes ABE Energy Performance from Applied Nutrition, in a 330 ml can: 200 mg of caffeine, 2,000 mg of citrulline malate, 2,000 mg of beta-alanine, 200 mg of anhydrous betaine, 200 mg of taurine, 200 mg of L-tyrosine, niacin, and vitamin B12, for 0 kcal and 0 g of sugars. Several flavors are available.
Two honest remarks. The 200 mg of caffeine corresponds exactly to the EFSA's reference single dose: one can is a full serving, not an appetizer. And the dosages of citrulline and beta-alanine remain lower than those in a powdered pre-workout—that's the price of convenience. For complete dosages, see our boosters; to avoid caffeine, our caffeine-free boosters and our creatine-free pre-workouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dangers of energy drinks?
They are documented and almost entirely due to caffeine, the sugar content of classic versions, and especially the circumstances of consumption. Reports collected by French nutrivigilance concern cardiovascular symptoms—palpitations, arrhythmias, chest pain, increased blood pressure—and neurological symptoms: anxiety, irritability, tremors, insomnia, and in the most severe cases, seizures or hallucinations. Identified risk situations always come down to the same: mixing with alcohol, consumption during physical exertion, repeated doses throughout the day, and predisposed individuals—undiagnosed heart problems, marked sensitivity to caffeine, adolescents.
Why are energy drinks considered dangerous?
Because they combine three characteristics rarely present together. A high dose of caffeine, ingested cold and quickly, whereas coffee is drunk hot and slowly. A format and taste similar to soda, which encourages drinking several without counting. And marketing focused on exertion and partying, which are precisely the two contexts that health authorities advise against. The molecule is no more dangerous here than elsewhere: it is the dose and usage that are.
What is the composition of an energy drink?
A base of sparkling or still water, sugar or intense sweeteners, caffeine, taurine, often D-glucuronolactone, B vitamins, acidifiers, flavorings, and colorings. Some formulas add plant extracts—guarana, ginseng, green tea—or amino acids. The only number to look for on the label remains the caffeine content per 100 ml, multiplied by the actual volume of the can.
How long do the effects of an energy drink last?
Caffeine reaches its peak blood level in 30 to 60 minutes. Its elimination half-life is around 3 to 5 hours in a healthy adult: a dose taken at 5 PM still partly acts at 10 PM. This duration varies greatly from person to person—smoking accelerates elimination, while pregnancy and some medications significantly slow it down.
How many can you drink per day?
The question should be asked in milligrams of caffeine, not in cans. The EFSA guideline for a healthy adult is 400 mg per day from all sources combined, and 200 mg per single intake: with one highly dosed can, you're already there. This calculation is only valid for a healthy adult without ongoing treatment.
Is it good to drink it every day?
No, and we prefer to say so even if we sell them. Daily consumption builds tolerance—the same dose becomes less effective—then dependence, whose cessation causes headaches and fatigue for a few days. For sugary versions, 40 g of sugar per day are added. These drinks are for occasional use: a time when alertness is genuinely lacking, not a 10 AM ritual.
What is the long-term effect of energy drinks on the heart?
High-dose caffeine temporarily increases heart rate and blood pressure; this is measurable and reversible. In the long term, available data are mainly based on observational studies and clinical cases, and do not allow for a causal link to be asserted with a chronic pathology in a healthy adult with moderate consumption. What is known with certainty, however, is that these drinks sometimes reveal an arrhythmia that was previously unknown. Palpitations, discomfort, or chest pain after consumption should not be managed by changing brands: they should be reported to a doctor.
What is the best energy drink?
There is no absolute best drink, but one criterion eliminates half the market: does the label state the exact caffeine dose, or is it hidden in an unspecified "energy" blend? Then come sugar—a zero version avoids 40 g of unnecessary sugar—and the suitability of the dose to your tolerance. A 200 mg can is not "better" than an 80 mg one: it is stronger, which is a drawback if you are sensitive to caffeine.
When should you drink an energy drink?
As far from bedtime as possible, and never before or during physical exertion according to ANSES recommendations. Given the half-life of caffeine, intake after 4 PM is likely to affect sleep. And never with alcohol.
What exactly is taurine?
A sulfur-containing amino acid that the body synthesizes and is found in fish, seafood, and meat. The taurine in drinks is obtained by chemical synthesis, not extracted from an animal. It is a classic component of these formulas, without any health claim being authorized for it in this context.
Are energy drinks prohibited for minors in France?
No, their sale to minors is not prohibited by French law. However, they are not recommended for them, and the warning label reminds of this above 150 mg of caffeine per liter. Some European countries have legislated or considered doing so; France has not taken this step.
Can you drink it before sports?
ANSES recommends not consuming it before or during physical activity—a position worth knowing before buying a can in a sports nutrition aisle. A powdered pre-workout, on the other hand, allows you to dose caffeine and know precisely the other active ingredients.
Are there natural or organic energy drinks?
Yes: some derive their caffeine from guarana, green tea, or green coffee extracts, and organic certified versions exist. This does not change the pharmacology: guarana caffeine is the same molecule as coffee caffeine, with the same effects and limitations. "Natural" and "organic" qualify the origin of the ingredients, not their harmlessness.
Which drink to rehydrate after sport?
Not this one. Rehydration requires water and mineral salts, which electrolytes cover. For a pleasant and sugar-free daily drink, our sugar-free drinks do the job better.
Can a can replace a coffee?
Regarding caffeine, yes, at an equivalent dose. For the rest, it is a formulated drink, with additives and sweeteners or sugar depending on the version. An espresso remains the simplest and cheapest option if your need is simply alertness.
Where to find this section near Montpellier?
Performance cans are available on the shelves of our Vendargues store, about ten minutes from Montpellier. For this product family, advice at the counter often involves discouraging purchase: if daily consumption already includes several coffees, the right answer is not to sell another can.
We ship throughout France and Europe. These products are not suitable for children, adolescents, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people sensitive to caffeine. In case of heart rhythm disorder, hypertension, ongoing treatment, or persistent sleep disorder, consult your doctor.
Questions fréquentes — Energy Drinks
Quels sont les dangers des boissons énergisantes ?
Ils sont documentés et ils tiennent presque entièrement à la caféine, à la quantité de sucre des versions classiques, et surtout aux circonstances de consommation. Les signalements recueillis par la nutrivigilance française portent sur des symptômes cardiovasculaires — palpitations, troubles du rythme, douleurs thoraciques, hausse de tension — et neurologiques : anxiété, irritabilité, tremblements, insomnie, et dans les cas les plus sévères convulsions ou hallucinations. Les situations à risque identifiées reviennent toujours aux mêmes : mélange avec l'alcool, consommation pendant un effort physique, doses répétées dans la journée, et personnes prédisposées — troubles cardiaques méconnus, sensibilité marquée à la caféine, adolescents.
Pourquoi les boissons énergisantes sont-elles considérées comme dangereuses ?
Parce qu'elles réunissent trois caractéristiques rarement présentes ensemble. Une dose de caféine élevée, ingérée froide et rapidement, là où un café se boit chaud et lentement. Un format et un goût de soda, qui invitent à en boire plusieurs sans compter. Et un marketing centré sur l'effort et la fête, c'est-à-dire précisément les deux contextes que les autorités sanitaires déconseillent. La molécule n'est pas plus dangereuse ici qu'ailleurs : c'est la dose et l'usage qui le sont.
Quelle est la composition d'une boisson énergisante ?
Une base d'eau gazeuse ou plate, du sucre ou des édulcorants intenses, de la caféine, de la taurine, souvent du D-glucuronolactone, des vitamines du groupe B, des acidifiants, des arômes et des colorants. Certaines formules ajoutent des extraits de plantes — guarana, ginseng, thé vert — ou des acides aminés. Le seul chiffre à chercher sur l'étiquette reste la teneur en caféine pour 100 ml, à multiplier par le volume réel de la canette.
Combien de temps durent les effets d'une boisson énergisante ?
La caféine atteint son pic sanguin en 30 à 60 minutes. Sa demi-vie d'élimination est de l'ordre de 3 à 5 heures chez un adulte en bonne santé : une dose prise à 17 h agit encore en partie à 22 h. Cette durée varie fortement d'une personne à l'autre — le tabac accélère l'élimination, la grossesse et certains médicaments la ralentissent nettement.
Combien peut-on en boire par jour ?
La question se pose en milligrammes de caféine, pas en canettes. Le repère EFSA pour un adulte en bonne santé est de 400 mg par jour toutes sources confondues, et de 200 mg par prise : avec une canette fortement dosée, vous y êtes déjà. Ce calcul ne vaut que pour un adulte en bonne santé et sans traitement.
Est-il bon d'en boire tous les jours ?
Non, et nous préférons le dire même si nous en vendons. Une consommation quotidienne installe une tolérance — la même dose fait de moins en moins d'effet — puis une dépendance dont l'arrêt provoque maux de tête et fatigue pendant quelques jours. Sur les versions sucrées s'ajoutent 40 g de sucre quotidiens. Ces boissons sont faites pour un usage ponctuel : un créneau où la vigilance manque réellement, pas un rituel de 10 h.
Quel est l'effet des boissons énergisantes sur le cœur à long terme ?
La caféine à dose élevée augmente ponctuellement la fréquence cardiaque et la pression artérielle ; c'est mesurable et réversible. Sur le long terme, les données disponibles reposent surtout sur des études d'observation et des cas cliniques, et ne permettent pas d'affirmer un lien de cause à effet avec une pathologie chronique chez un adulte sain à consommation modérée. Ce que l'on sait en revanche avec certitude, c'est que ces boissons révèlent parfois un trouble du rythme jusque-là ignoré. Des palpitations, un malaise ou une douleur thoracique après consommation ne se gèrent pas en changeant de marque : ils se montrent à un médecin.
Quelle est la meilleure boisson énergisante ?
Il n'y a pas de meilleure boisson dans l'absolu, mais un critère qui élimine la moitié du marché : l'étiquette annonce-t-elle la dose exacte de caféine, ou la noie-t-elle dans un mélange « énergie » non détaillé ? Ensuite viennent le sucre — une version zéro évite 40 g inutiles — et l'adéquation de la dose à votre tolérance. Une canette à 200 mg n'est pas « meilleure » qu'une à 80 mg : elle est plus forte, ce qui est un défaut si vous êtes sensible à la caféine.
Quand prendre une boisson énergisante ?
Le plus loin possible du coucher, et jamais avant ni pendant un effort physique selon la recommandation de l'ANSES. Compte tenu de la demi-vie de la caféine, une prise après 16 h a de bonnes chances de peser sur la nuit. Et jamais avec de l'alcool.
La taurine, c'est quoi exactement ?
Un acide aminé soufré que le corps synthétise et que l'on trouve dans le poisson, les fruits de mer et la viande. Celle des boissons est obtenue par synthèse chimique, pas extraite d'un animal. C'est un composant classique de ces formules, sans qu'aucune allégation de santé ne soit autorisée à son sujet dans ce contexte.
Les boissons énergisantes sont-elles interdites aux mineurs en France ?
Non, leur vente aux mineurs n'est pas interdite par la loi française. Elles leur sont en revanche déconseillées, et la mention d'avertissement sur l'étiquette le rappelle dès 150 mg de caféine par litre. Certains pays européens ont légiféré ou envisagé de le faire ; la France n'a pas franchi ce pas.
Peut-on en boire avant le sport ?
L'ANSES recommande de ne pas en consommer avant ni pendant une activité physique — une position qui vaut d'être connue avant d'acheter une canette dans un rayon de nutrition sportive. Un pré-entraînement en poudre permet, lui, de doser la caféine et de connaître précisément les autres actifs.
Existe-t-il des boissons énergisantes naturelles ou bio ?
Oui : certaines tirent leur caféine d'extraits de guarana, de thé vert ou de café vert, et il existe des versions certifiées en agriculture biologique. Cela ne change rien à la pharmacologie : la caféine du guarana est la même molécule que celle du café, avec les mêmes effets et les mêmes limites. « Naturel » et « bio » qualifient l'origine des ingrédients, pas leur innocuité.
Quelle boisson pour se réhydrater après le sport ?
Pas celle-ci. La réhydratation demande de l'eau et des sels minéraux, ce que couvrent les électrolytes. Pour une boisson agréable et sans sucre au quotidien, nos boissons sans sucre font mieux le travail.
Une canette peut-elle remplacer un café ?
Sur la caféine, oui, à dose équivalente. Pour le reste, c'est une boisson formulée, avec additifs et édulcorants ou sucre selon les versions. Un expresso reste l'option la plus sobre et la moins chère si votre besoin est simplement la vigilance.
